Moiwa Ski Resort near Niseko - More than just Skiing

 

Moiwa Ski Resort is more than just skiing or winter sports in general. Once upon a time, nestled within the embrace of Hokkaido's pristine landscapes, stood the majestic Mount Moiwa, a silent guardian of tales whispered through the ages.

Long before ski resorts and bustling tourism, Mount Moiwa reigned as a sacred haven for the Ainu, the island's indigenous people. Legends wove around its peaks, painting it as a revered deity, an embodiment of nature's power and beauty. The Ainu honored its presence, their lives entwined with the mountain's quiet wisdom.

As centuries flowed, the footsteps of history left their mark. The Yamato Japanese settled, drawn by the fertile lands around the mountain. Fishing boats dotted the nearby shores, while fields bloomed with the toil of farmers. Yet, Mount Moiwa stood tall, witnessing the dance of tradition and progress.

It wasn't until the post-war era that whispers of adventure began echoing through the valleys. Skiing, a newfound delight, nestled itself in the heart of Hokkaido. Mount Moiwa's snowy slopes beckoned enthusiasts, their laughter harmonizing with the wind as they swooshed down its powdered trails.

Tourism tiptoed in, timid at first, but soon it bloomed into a bustling affair. Chalets and lodges sprung up, the aroma of local cuisines mingling with the crisp mountain air. The once serene slopes hummed with the thrill of adventure seekers, drawn by promises of adrenaline rushes and serene vistas.

Yet, amidst the flurry of activity, Mount Moiwa remained a sentinel of tradition. Efforts to preserve Ainu heritage found their voice, museums, and exhibitions standing as guardians of ancient stories and artifacts, reminding visitors of the land's indigenous roots.

As years rolled by, Mount Moiwa embraced change while guarding its essence. It witnessed the dance between development and conservation, a delicate balance where progress harmonized with the need to protect its natural splendor.

Visitors from distant lands arrived, not merely for the thrill of skiing or the allure of scenic views, but to immerse themselves in the tapestry of Ainu culture and the tranquility of the mountain's embrace. Technology's touch improved accessibility, allowing more souls to marvel at the summit's breathtaking panorama.

Through every sunrise and every snowfall, Mount Moiwa stood resolute, a keeper of stories etched in the fabric of time. It remained a testament to the harmonious coexistence of tradition, nature, and the evolving tapestry of human endeavors in Hokkaido's vibrant history.

Mount Moiwa and its vicinity have a rich history spanning centuries, blending natural wonders, cultural evolution, and historical events. Here's a condensed overview:

Ancient Times: Mount Moiwa and the surrounding region have been inhabited for thousands of years by the indigenous Ainu people. They revered the mountain as a sacred place and incorporated it into their folklore and spiritual beliefs.

Ainu Culture: The Ainu, Hokkaido's native people, had a deep connection to nature. Mount Moiwa was likely part of their hunting and gathering grounds, and they considered it a place of spiritual significance.

Japanese Settlement: With the increasing influence of the Yamato Japanese in Hokkaido during the Edo period (1603–1868), settlements began to form near Mount Moiwa, primarily for fishing and farming.

Modern Development: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area saw increased industrialization and development. Mining and forestry became significant activities, shaping the local economy.

Tourism Emergence: By the mid-20th century, the beauty of Mount Moiwa's landscape began attracting tourists, initially for its natural scenery, hiking trails, and breathtaking views from the summit.

Visitors from overseas or local tourists love to rent chalets like this that offer comfortable stays and convenient vicinity of ski resorts like Moiwa. This chalet in particular can be booked here. 

Ski Culture: Skiing gained popularity in Hokkaido post-World War II. Resorts began developing around Niseko, including Mount Moiwa, offering skiing opportunities and winter sports activities.

Cultural Preservation: Efforts to preserve Ainu culture and heritage gained momentum in the latter part of the 20th century. Institutions and museums in the area began showcasing Ainu traditions and artifacts, honoring the indigenous roots.

Tourism Boom: In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the Niseko region experienced a tourism boom, attracting visitors from Japan and around the world, drawn by its renowned powder snow and stunning landscapes. Another aspect is the increased popularity of Moiwa, visitors like to purchase stickers and t-shirts. 

Infrastructure Development: Mount Moiwa's ski resort, infrastructure, and facilities underwent continual improvements to accommodate the growing number of tourists, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

Environmental Conservation: Conservation efforts gained importance, focusing on preserving the natural beauty and ecological balance around Mount Moiwa amidst increased tourism and development.

Cultural Exchange: The region became a hub for cultural exchange, welcoming tourists and enthusiasts interested in not just winter sports but also Ainu culture, history, and traditions.

Technological Advancements: Advancements in transportation, hospitality, and communication technologies further facilitated accessibility and improved visitor experiences in the area.

Throughout its history, Mount Moiwa and the Niseko region have evolved from a place of natural beauty and cultural significance into a vibrant destination that seamlessly blends tradition, nature, and modern tourism.

Takeo Ishii 石井 健雄 - German Yodel Master

Yodeling is not just music but an art that not everyone can master. During my early days in Zurich, I loved to visit yodeling events. I remember that Bavarian type of yodeling sounded somewhat different than traditional Swiss yodeling. Besides the all-time best Franzl Lang from Germany, there is one impressive yodeling master from Japan that I like to remember. In 1291 early Alpine shepherds discover how to yodel by alternating their voices between natural singing tones and falsetto pitches. Shepherds began using the distinctive calls to round up cattle and communicate with others across the Alps. Although yodeling was probably being used back in the Stone Age, the choir singing of the yodeling songs only developed in the 19th century. Interestingly, Switzerland has an international yodel festival which is hosted every time in a different city. Through the festival's days, lots of artists from all over Switzerland, reach the host city.

The Japanese yodeling star Takeo Ishi (in German Takeo Ischi) that is still active continues to impress yodeling fans all around the world. There isn't much the public knows about him and I was told that Takeo is a very humble and nice person that identifies his style of singing with the surrounding alpine habitat. He is probably not someone who could live in a big city, the opposite would be Takeos favorite. The more nature, the more mountains the better!

Takeo was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. In high school, he was a loner, but it was during this time that he first heard yodeling on the radio. Following his father, Ischi went to university for mechanical engineering. In his spare time he became engrossed with the zither and the hammered dulcimer and learned to play these instruments. Using Franzl Lang's records, he taught himself to yodel and began performing on Japanese television. During a six-month period where he studied abroad in Germany, Ischi went to Switzerland, where he sang at a beer hall in Zurich. He soon started earning money from this. From there he sang in front of Lang, his idol, and Lang took him under his wing. He performed on television with Maria Hellwig, and after that became known in German language circles as the "Japanese yodeler".

Ischi met his wife Henriette in 1981 and proposed to her three years later at an onsen (hot spring) in Japan, where he yodeled his proposal to her. They married in 1985 and had five children, of which four sons named Maximilian, Michael, Andreas and Lukas, and one daughter named Julia. A humorous collaboration with The Gregory Brothers, "Chicken Attack", was released on January 25th, 2017, garnering over 4 million views on YouTube.

Experience the alpine atmosphere in Switzerland

Davos as an example is a small town of superlatives: this holiday destination with the international ambiance is the largest resort in the Alps for mountain holidays, sports, and conferences, at 1560 m the highest town in the Alps and a high-altitude health resort with a long tradition. In the center of Davos, visitors will find a wide range of accommodation and excellent shopping, with numerous boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. At night, too, there’s plenty of entertainment, with bars, discos and a casino.

The first situation we usually run into is that people who want to visit “Switzerland” assume that the first and best (and sometimes only) stop should be its largest city, which is Zurich. Unfortunately, Zurich is the most expensive city in the world for travelers, and it’s not really very interesting. Geneva is a very famous city (though not for tourism reasons) on a lovely lake of the same name, but it’s also notoriously dull and lacking distinction. Rick Steves puts it well by saying that “Geneva is pleasantly situated on a lake, like Buffalo or Cleveland.” The point is, you don’t want to go to Geneva unless you’ve got something specific in mind that you want to see there.

If you have 4 or fewer days in Switzerland I wouldn’t visit any of the cities listed above. If you have 5 or more days and especially if you want to include a proper city then I’d recommend 1 or 2 days in Bern. For a longer trip, and especially if you want to visit the French part of the country, then a day in Lausanne is worthwhile. Many people (me included) don’t feel as if they’ve scratched the surface of a new country if they haven’t spent at least a day or two in the largest city. Zurich is certainly pleasant and a useful transit hub so spending one or two nights there wouldn’t be a mistake. But Zurich isn’t even close to being a city like Paris, Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam, or even Vienna. If you skip it in favor of spending more time in the outdoors, you won’t be missing much.

Schilthorn observation deck and restaurant

The cable cars (mountain lifts that carry up to 80 people at a time) from Lauterbrunnen to Gimmelwald and from Gimmelwald up to Mürren are short and fairly cheap, but if you keep going up two more segments to the top, you reach the Schilthorn observation deck. It’s expensive (around US$100 round-trip from Lauterbrunnen to Schilthorn) but if the weather is clear this is very worthwhile and will be your single best memory of Switzerland.

There is a rotating restaurant (with prices similar to normal Swiss restaurants) and a bizarre and anachronistic James Bond attraction based on it being a key location in the 1969 movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The Bond thing is included with the lift, and it’s worth a look.

But the main thing you come here for is the 360-degree view from one of the highest peaks in Europe. Again, the weather here is key, but fortunately, all the locals track the visibility on a minute-by-minute basis. If it’s clear up top while you are in the area, it would be a terrible shame to skip it based on the high price. But even if it’s cloudy up top, there are still plenty of wonderful things to see and do in the villages below.

     Japanese Av Star